Kern County
Meet a local doctor who knows how to thrive
Jim Sproul, MD, a family medicine physician at our Ming Medical Offices, breeds new roses in his spare time. And because he enjoys his work as much as he does his hobby, he’s named his newest rose Thrive! in honor of the Kaiser Permanente philosophy of total health (the rose is pictured at left).
“I really like the theme of encouraging people to thrive and do well in body, mind, and spirit,” says Dr. Sproul. “For me, gardening is part of that: getting outside and being active. And I think this rose really fits that theme.”
Dr. Sproul has been breeding new roses for about 20 years. He crosses seeds from two different rose breeds, growing between 10,000 and 15,000 new roses each year.
From the start, he knew the Thrive! rose was special. “Even in its first year it bloomed profusely, and still does,” he says. “It’s corny to say, but it has thrived really well from the beginning.”
The Thrive! rose is a shrub rose that has rich red coloring with very healthy, shiny foliage that’s resistant to black spot disease, and it grows well in Southern California. Star Roses, a national rose wholesaler, is introducing the Thrive! rose next fall, for the 2012 season. Members can ask for it at their favorite garden store.
“I love being a doctor, but I also love rose breeding,” he adds. “I think it’s good for everyone to have a hobby that creates a balance with their work.”
Get tips for making time for the hobby you love — whether it’s gardening, knitting, or yoga.
You belong to an award-winning health plan
The nonprofit Leapfrog Group*, which compares hospital performances, named 16 Kaiser Permanente medical centers in California to its 65-member national top hospital list. This elite group was selected from more than 1,200 hospitals nationwide.
Kaiser Permanente medical centers in your area that made it on the list include:
Learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to quality care
*Kaiser Permanente is not responsible for the content or policies of external Internet sites.
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